Jobs around your kids

skintas_2

i promote nite clubs in the west end of london. i work dam hard some hours in the week, friday start at 10 pm finish at 7 am, saturday start 10pm finish about 8.30 am. my partner has the kids as they are all asleep. hes getting bit fed up withn it now its been 2 years. he would be moaning if i wasnt earning

lynzpower

Spendless wrote: »

lynz- how much do you need to earn on top of your OH salary? Is it possible to save that amount to acount for the shortfall over next few years (like Lillibet described doing in the other thread).

the problem is I dont think we have " a few years" things are a bit knife edge with my health at the mo, and my feeling is If i get the all clear soon, then thats when we better start trying. Im 30 this year, so not geting any younger & with gynae probs I dont want money problems standing in the way if you get me.

inkie

I don't have any childcare costs as my work is flexible, adn the most family-friendly role that I have had - the kids just come with me, or I work from home if they are off ill or anything else like that. During the school holidays, I only do the essentials (as I have worked really hard to get in front of myself in the weeks during term. I am a minister. I took a £24K paycut to do this. When I was working f/t (midwife/management NHS), we were spending £400 ish per month on childcare etc, and now we don't have that outlay.

Do you earn more than your husband? Why not allow him to stay at home if you do?

Jet

I'm a single parent. I work 24 hours in an office doing admin / accounts work which is flexible so I do school hours term time and longer days (but less of them) in the holidays. I also do a little bit of book keeping from home.

I use a childminder, friends and my ex for childcare. Average cost is around £10 per week but my son is school age so that helps.

Rachie_B

My 2 sons are aged 11 & 5 now

When the eldest was 2 i went to work in a pre school 9.30 - 12pm 3 days a week.My mum and dad cared for him as we were still living in our hometown then

Then when he went to school i upped my days / hours .but the day was still do able around his drop off and pick up as was 9.30 - 3pm.during holidays he either came with me or my mum cared for him if she wasnt working.

stayed in that job until 2002 when we relocated, ( youngest was born april 2002) and i was then a SAHM until 2006 !

when the youngest went to playgroup,mornings, i took on a few cleaning jobs and did some babysitting too.

then when he went fulltime in sept last yr,i took on more cleaning / mothers help work whilst looking for nannying work.

since jan this yr i have been nannying,my son sometimes goes to a CM for an hour before school at the cost of £3 per hour,and after school club £6 for 2 hour session.

in the holidays either he comes with me to work,or my sister sometimes looks after him and i repay the favour with her 2 !!

i have been very lucky as the families i work for are lovely and quite happy to ihave my son accompany me to work

misty

I work in FE too and would echo education is a great place to work for parents. I'm a single parent and worked part time until my child started school. I deliberately worked part-time so I was home with him more than away from him. My income was topped up by tax credits and they contributed towards childcare - which was still pricey though. Childcare got cheaper as he got older as the staff/child ration is fewer plus you get the voucher system now from the govt. As I work more hours now - I don't get any tax credits.

What line of work are you in? are there any associated benefits -e.g discounts etc. Could you take a mortgage break in the short term?

Prudent

Lynz, it really sounds like this is something you need to do for yourself now. I want to encourage you. I have been some real financial hardship, but can never regret having my daughter. At the end of the day, perhaps the most meaningful thing you can do with your life is have children.

One thing I did notice is that you haven't put tax credits into your calculation, as this can really help.

I have been both a single parent and a married parent. It is much easier with a partner, both emotionally and financially. I have always worked, even if its just a day a week. I work in a school so have been able to work around my daughter once she started school. But on my own it was still tough.

You will have loads of support from the mse forums and we will all help you tackle problems as they come up.

cobbingstones

Hi Lynx,

You've had some great suggestions already. I just wanted to add that if you really want a baby go for it. What would you of done if by accident you became pregnant? Got on with it of course! I became pregnant at 19 and boy was it a struggle. Now he's approaching 18 :eek:

I wish you the very best in your decision

MM xx

binty

I do party plan (virgin vie), it's not for everyone, but very flexible, you work when it's convenient for you.

buxtonrabbitgreen

When my kids were young i did the hours and jobs that most people don't want. You should always be able to find weekend evening supermarket work or petrol stations. I also worked in a factory for 2 years on the 5-10pm shift which was preety good pay and only had to have a child minder for a couple of hours till DH got home.